Marest's Sample Builds

Updated: July 5th, 2014

Disclaimer
These are sample builds that you can use as a guideline when looking at a potential new computer (they may not be perfect for your needs; use them as examples). All components listed below are sold separately, which means you will have to assemble the computer yourself. Also mind that all builds below are without an Operating System, Keyboard & Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, DVD/Blu-Ray, Sound Card or any other peripherals you might need. A suggestion is to take a pre-made build here, research the components, do some edits and then make a thread asking for assistance so that the more knowledgeable members here can aid you with your planned purchase and make sure you get the best possible components and performance for your money.

Note 1: Prices for each product are estimates and might not be correct.Note 2: Some parts (like for example the case) can be swapped out based on personal preference. A Case Catalog can be found HERE.Note 3: A SSD can speed up boot and software loading times tremendously and allow for smoother browsing in Windows. They remain optional in most builds below; add one to your desired build if you want to.

Recommended for:
Gaming build that will take care of almost
all gaming needs.

Plan to add:
- Overhaul of some builds when the new GPUs hit the market (late 2013).
- Links to reliable reviews for most products (the motherboards and PSUs primarily).
- Peripherals suggestions.
- HTPC "Basic" and "Advanced" sample builds.

Disclaimer:
Below is a list of gaming and computer peripherals you might need and/or want for your new (or old) computer. Please note that this list is a personal list made by myself with input from others; all items listed might not be perfect for your personal intentions or needs - they are just suggestions. As always, creating a new thread and asking before buying something is always a recommendation. Also note that all prices below are estimates and might not be correct.

Monitors:

Below are suggestions of good, reliable computer monitors. For fast paced FPS games (like Unreal Tournament) a 120Hz TN-panel with as little ghosting as possible (and low latency) is the best option, but for most other gamers a good IPS monitor will offer the best image as it has more accurate and better quality colours. As always, feel free to ask if you want a more personal recommendation.

Picking the right keyboard for your gaming needs is not easy. Below are suggestions of keyboards that are reliable and tested, but I still recommend that you ask for a more personal recommendation. Please also note that some gaming keyboards are not good for writing.

What computer mouse to pick for gaming depends greatly on what games you intend to play and how you play them. Some prefer mice with a lot of buttons (for MMOs) while others want a sleek mouse with a reliable sensor (for FPS). Below are suggestions of reliable gaming mice. As always, feel free to ask if you are looking for a more personal recommendation.

What speakers to pick can differ a lot from person to person, but below are suggestions that cater to general use and non-audiophiles. If you are looking for a more personal recommendation, feel free to create a new thread and ask.

Picking the correct pair of headphones for your needs and intentions isn't as easy as it might seem; below are suggestions that cater to gaming primarily. If you are looking for a more personal recommendation, feel free to create a new thread and ask.

Generally, headsets offer less sound quality for your money compared to headphones (which is why many choose to get a table/clip-on microphone together with a pair of quality headphones instead of a headset). If you are looking for a headset due to comfort reasons or simply because you prefer them you can find good suggestions below.

Most modern motherboards come with a very capable integrated sound-chip that is enough for most headphones, headsets and speakers. In general, you only need a soundcard if you are looking at high quality sound peripherals. As always, feel free to create a new thread and ask before making your purchase.

The microphones suggested here are primarily with VOIP in mind. The slightly higher-end suggestions work well for entry-level professional recordings (e.g. if you want to do some video commenting or some serious audio conferencing). For your average Skype-call, anything above the first suggestion is superfluous.

The Operating System, OS for short, is the base software that runs on your machine. The most common one is Microsoft Windows. Other alternatives is Linux (though several different distros) and Apple's OSX. Note that MSDNAA or Project DreamSpark can offer students software, e.g. Windows, for free or at a great discount.

Below are items that you might need when building a new computer. Some of the above are nice things to have, although superfluous to most. Note that some cases come with a fan controller, making the need for a separate one fairly moot.

If you're using a dual channel motherboard, is it ideal to get 8GB of RAM in 2 slots vs all 4? Is there a big performance difference? Reason being I have 4GB right now, and I'm wondering if I should grab an 8GB kit of G.Skill 8CASL 1.5v RAM for the same price as 4 gigs of my current RAM. ($54.99)

The ASUS P8P67 PRO from the $1500 is getting some really bad reviews over on Newegg something about some really common bios failures, if there's any validity to that I'm curious if there are any comparable boards that I could consider and maybe substitute for it? I want to make sure it's going to fit the DCii 3-slot video card properly, and I don't want to get a motherboard with the wrong kind of processor socket or some other stupid mistake like that. This will only be the second computer I've ever bought and personally assembled so I'm not exactly brimming with confidence at my own judgment.

The ASUS P8P67 PRO from the $1500 is getting some really bad reviews over on Newegg something about some really common bios failures, if there's any validity to that I'm curious if there are any comparable boards that I could consider and maybe substitute for it? I want to make sure it's going to fit the DCii 3-slot video card properly, and I don't want to get a motherboard with the wrong kind of processor socket or some other stupid mistake like that. This will only be the second computer I've ever bought and personally assembled so I'm not exactly brimming with confidence at my own judgment.

Actually, that was a bad on my part. At $1500 you should definitely get a Z68 board (there is little reason not to). I swapped it out for the Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P. If you want a P67 board there are numerous good ones - it all depends what features you are looking for.

The Crucial 64GB is only + $15 and you gain extra space. You chose same controller for basically all the other drives and just because it's $15 cheaper I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, I mean a broke drive will end up costing you more. The reviews are not great.

Care to elaborate as to why it should be removed? Maybe back up your claims?

it's a good choice if it isn't DOA, or dead within a few months, it's very well known that OCZ has no quality control, even their enterprise drives are crap, i just had to replace two of them, you should remove it from the list

OCZ has basically outsourced their quality control to customers, that's why they sell stuff cheaper than anybody else. On the other hand the failure rate is not 23% or anywhere close to the number of whiners in Newegg. Only semi-reputable statistics I've seen puts it to somewhere between 6-8% (while other manufacturers are in 1-3% range).

If you can accept the risk of getting DOA device and going through the RMA hassles, OCZ gives unbeatable gb/$.

Never going to log into this garbage forum again as long as calling obvious troll obvious troll is the easiest way to get banned.
Trolling should be.